Perspectives
These Ten People Rock: So Do You – My Thanksgiving Shout Out (Round 7)

GREGG
BLANCHARD

My life is good. Better than I could ever have hoped.

I have two healthy kids, a wonderful wife, a warm home, and a job that makes all of it possible. I have that job because of SlopeFillers, and SlopeFillers exists because of people like you. People who have patiently supported my efforts along this journey.

I deserve little of it, but I try my best to truly appreciate all of it.

So being, every year I’ve taken a moment to share my appreciation for the people who have helped those stars align. To recap, here are the previous years’ lists:

1) Trevor Crist
I put Trevor on the list last year, but he’s at the top in 2017. When I joined Inntopia as part of the Ryan Solutions acquisition last year, I was put into a role I was 99% not qualified for. I have learned and grown sooooo much this year as a result of Trevor’s trust, support, and patience. It’s amazing to look back on 2016 Gregg and realize just how far I’ve come thanks to Trevor’s faith in me.

2) Corey Ryan
Corey has been on this list twice before, but in recent months the realization has hit me once again just how much I owe him. The reason I’m not a nobody writing posts in a laundromat is because Corey saw something in me I didn’t (and still struggle to) see in myself. He took a chance on me and SlopeFillers, and that chance blossomed into an incredible opportunity for my career, family, and life.

3) Adrienne Saia-Isaac
Every Friday the SlopeFilers weekly digest goes out to more than 1,000 people. In the footer of that email I exhort people to “hit reply” but only a few do with any regularity. Adrienne is one of them. She’s given me fantastic ideas, priceless feedback, and a great story to boot. Thanks, Adrienne, for hitting reply. Keep it up.

4) Hugh Reynolds
For a resort marketing blogger like myself, solving the “how to grow skiing” problem is the holy grail. It’s something I’ve written about in some form close to 100 times. This year, Hugh gave me a chance to put those ideas together during a session at SNOW Operating’s user group. It was an great group and awesome opportunity that rekindled my love of this industry. Thanks again for thinking of me.

5) Joe Hession
In an industry with no shortage of talking, they’re doing. Joe’s solutions to skiing’s problems aren’t half-baked side projects, they’re all-in attempts to do it and do it right. His approach and dedication are exactly what skiing needs and I couldn’t be more excited to watch where they go from here. If there’s a ski industry hall of fame, I’d be the commentator sitting courtside making predictions Joe will in an HOF lock. Thanks for moving skiing forward, Joe.

6) Joni Loveless
Before Inntopia, before Ryan Solutions, before SlopeFillers, there was TimeClick. Joni (my boss) was the first person (besides myself) to trust my marketing ideas. With a little luck, her faith paid off and we were able to turn 2-3 new customers a month into 20-30. Her support was a huge boost in my confidence and, looking back, a massive stepping stone I haven’t appreciated enough in my journey to today.

7) Joe Johnson
Joe was on this list way back in the inagural edition, but after his willingness to tell his story recently on SlopeFillers I’ve gotta share some gratitude again. Joe is someone I have a ton of admiration for. He was super supportive of SlopeFillers back in the day and has since been a good friend and great example of what it means to make the most of the limited days and hours we have in life. Appreciate your support, Joe.

8) Claire
While waiting for a Southwest flight recently, I moved my bag so an older women could sit down. She thanked me and we made small talk before she boarded a couple groups ahead of me. As I passed Claire later in the plane, she quickly scooted to the middle seat and said, “Here Gregg, take the aisle. You’re tall and I don’t need that leg room. You’ll be more comfortable there.” It is so easy to think that the world is full of terrible people, but every time I leave the screens behind I remember the opposite is true. Thanks again, Claire, for the leg room, the reminder, and the example.

9) Pascale Savard & Donnie Clapp
Returning to Inntopia for a moment, until last year i had never managed people before. Pascale, and later Donnie (he joined the team in April) have been incredibly understanding guinea pigs on the road to figuring out how to not just do marketing by myself, but work together on marketing with other people. We’ve got some exciting stuff cooking, but we wouldn’t be here without a year of hard work and lots of patience from both of them. Thanks guys for putting up with my ideas and mistakes.

10) Kim, Callie, and Sam
No list would be complete without my family. Everything I thought I knew about life and what makes someone happy has all but disappeared along this journey of marriage and parenthood. I can honestly say I’ve never been happier. And they’re to blame.

I sincerely hope that all of you have a wonderful, relaxing, family-filled Thanksgiving holiday.

Thanks for everything you do at your mountains and for me. Words can’t express how grateful I am for everyone’s friendship, kind words, and willingness to overlook my flaws to see my intentions.

I’ll see you next week.

DanielleKristmanson

Through the eyes of a Canadian, American Thanksgiving (that’s what we call it) is celebrated in a lot of interesting ways. This annual post is one tradition that I love. After I read it every year, I swear I’m going to do one of my own, and then never do. Your dedication to it really reflects who you are Gregg. xo